Drip pan for toilet flush tanks



Dec. 23, 1930. N. A. RUBNER 1,785,877

DRIP PAN FOR TOILET FLUSH TANKS Filed Jan. 8 1950 Patented Dec. 23, 1930 UNITED STATES NORIBEBT A. RU'BNER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN DRIP PAN FOR TOILET FLUSH TANKS Application filed. January 8, 1930. Serial No. 419,407.

This invention relates to new and improved drip pans for toilet flush tanks.

It is a well known fact that there is usually a condensation formed on the exterior of flush tanks which has a tendency to run down and drop on the floor, causing considerable annoyance and in a great many instances damage to the floor and other parts of the building.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide a drip pan to receive the condensation and convey the same to the toilet bowl.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a drip pan for flush tanks which is stamped from a single piece of material and can be quickly and readily placed in position beneath the edges of the flush tank so as to catch the drippings of the condensation and readily convey the same to the adjacent toilet bowl.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a drip pan of the above character wherein the securing and bracing members are stamped from the body of the drip pan in a single operation so as to provide a drip pan which will not only be eflicient in use, but one which can be manufactured and placed on the market at a very low cost.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a toilet, illustrating the application of my improved drip P Figure 2 is a top plan view of the pan, illustrating one of the securing ears in an inoperative position;

Figure 3 is a detail transverse section through a portion of the pan illustrating the connection of the drainage tube.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 indicates the usual type of toilet bowl which is connected by means of a pipe 2 through the usual flush tank 3. My improved drip pan is preferably constructed so as to be positioned directly beneath the edges of the tank 3, so as to receive dripp'ings carries a transverse extension 7 which extends between the ends of the body and is slightly bowed at the intermediate portion as shown at 8, to cause the drippings, which are received in the extension 7 to be conveyed to the trough-like body 4 of the main portion of the pan.

In stamping the drip pan in a single operation, the bracket ears 9 are stamped out at the ends of the U-shaped body and are provided with spaced openings 10 for receiving any type of securing members to be used in retaining the drip pan in its operative position.

It will be noted that during the stamping operation, a tongue 11 is stamped out from the bracket ears 9 and a portion of the body at the ends thereof, said tongue havin a reduced end or tab 12 at its inner end. he tongues 11 stam ed out of the bracket ears 9 are adapted to bent outwardly and disposed upon an incline, as shown in Fi re 1, with the tabs 12 adapted to be fitted mm the openings 13 formed in the body of the pan adjacent each end whereby these tongues 11 will form suitable brace members for supporting the an in proper osition with respect to the ttom of the ush tank 3.

In placing the drip pan in position, it is preferred to have the tongues of such length as will permit the pan to be disposed at a slight incline with the intermediate portion or front edge of the pan somewhat lower than the rear in order to provide for proper drainage of the dripping from the tank 3.

At the intermediate portion of the drip pan, I provide a depression 14 having an opening there-throng and fitting within the depression and extending down through the leading from the intermediate portion of opening is the securing slot for the drain the pan to the toilet bowl and a transverse tube 16. The drain tube 16 may for the purextension carried by the pan and leading pose of appearance be covered with any suitacross the back edge of the flush tank. able material such as rubber, enamel, or sim- In testimony that I claim the foregoing I ilar material, as shown at 17. The top leads have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, downwardly into the toilet bowl 1, as shown in the county of Milwaukee and State of in Figure 1, whereby the condensed drip- I/Visconsin. pings from the tank 3 which are received NORBERT A. RUBNER. within the drip pan can be readily drained into the toilet bowl.

In forming the drip pan, the transverse extension 7 between the ends of the body of the pan can be either stamped out integral with the pan or can be made separate and so have its ends soldered or otherwise secured to the ends of the pan. In a great many instances, however, it is not necessary to use the transverse extension 7, and, therefore, it is preferred to have this member made as 35 a separate part of the pan. It will be apparent from the foregoing that I have pro vided a very simple and inexpensive device for the purpose set forth which can be quickly and readily placed in position beneath the 90 flush tank of a closet whereby the condensed drippings from the tank can be readily conveyed to the toilet bowl and save considerable expense and annoyance due to the condensation dripping onto the floor of the room in 95 which the closet is located.

I claim: 1. A device of the class described including a substantially U-shaped trough-like body, supporting brackets integral there- 100 with and a drainage tube communicating with the trough-like body at its intermediate portion.

2. A drip pan of the character described 40 including a U-shaped body member of trough-like design, integral brackets at the ends thereof, tongues stamped out from the brackets, and having reduced ends, the ends of the body having openings to receive the 45 reduced ends of the tongues and a drainno age tube having communication with the interior of the trough-like body at the intermediate portion of the body.

3. A drip pan stamped from a single piece ;,r a,-f ma terial and including a U-shaped body I U-shttp'ed in cross section, integral bracket members at the ends of the body, bracing tongues stamped out from the ends of the body and brackets, tabs at the outer ends of as the tongues, the ends of the body having 1 openings to receive said tabs, a depression at the intermediate portion of the U-shaped body having an opening and a drainage tube in the opening and communicating with the l6c interior of the body. 225

4.;The combination with a toilet including a flush tank and toilet bowl, a U-shaped drainage pan adapted to be positioned beneath the edges of the tank, brackets for supas porting the pan in position, a drainage tube 

